Tuolumne Fire Safe Council (TFSC)
Defensible Space for Low-income Seniors and Disabled Residents
The Tuolumne Fire Safe Council is taking sign ups for low income seniors or disabled property owners for financial assistance for defensible space clean up in your area!
The Tuolumne County Fire Safe Council (TCFC) has been awarded funding from the CAL FIRE Climate Investment Grant to create defensible space around the homes of low- income seniors and disabled residents in Tuolumne County. The Grant amount is $879,000 which will be spread over 5 years, 2024-2029. The TFSC plans to start this program in the Groveland area. There is a direct nexus between GCSD's goal of maximizing the fire safety of the communities and the defensible space to be developed under this program.
The Tuolumne County Fire Safe Council project managers approached GCSD for assistance, cooperation and partnership in the implementation of this program in the Groveland/Big Oak Flat area. On February 11, 2025 the District's Board of Directors authorized the General Manager and staff to assist the Tuolumne County Fire Safe Council in Implementation of the Defensible Space for Seniors and Disabled in Tuolumne County Project.
GCSD’s role is envisioned to involve the following:
- Assist in program outreach, conducting community meetings and identification of collaborating entities and eligible recipients of the work
- Provide property information from our GIS program
- Social media campaigns and information
- Host or link information on the GCSD website such as informational flyers, forms and press releases
For more information on the program, please visit the Tuolumne County Fire Safe Council web page: Defensible Space Project
To Apply:
Complete the Interest Form form on-line and submit it electronically (FORM Below):
INTEREST FORM - Defensible Space
For assistance with the Interest Form contact: Tricia@trcd.org, 209-642-8304
For Questions or concerns with the project, please contact project managers:
Jerry McGowan or Scott Fremd: 209-431-9731
What can I do to protect my home? Create DEFENSIBLE SPACE
Defensible space is the buffer between your structure and the surrounding area.
Adequate defensible space acts as a barrier to slow or halt the progress of fire that would otherwise engulf your property. It also helps ensure the safety of firefighters defending your home. Defensible space is the first line of defense for your home against wildfire.
Defensible space is crucial for your home’s wildfire safety. It’s the buffer zone you create between your property and the surrounding wild land area. This space is key to slowing or stopping wildfire spread and protecting your home from embers, flames, or heat. It also gives firefighters a safer area to defend your property.
In each zone, the intensity of vegetation management increases as you get closer to your home. The goal is to start at your house and work outward, reaching up to 100 feet or your property line.
- Zone 0: Zone 0 extends 0-5 feet from your home, focusing on intense fuel reduction to protect against ember attacks.
- Zones 1 & 2: These zones cover up to 100 feet around your home (or to your property line whichever comes first). They’re required by law and involve varying levels of vegetation management.
For more information on Defensible Space and Public Resource Code 4291 requirements visit:
If you have further questions, please contact the District Office at 209-962-7161 or info@gcsd.org.